Business Improvement Areas

About Business Improvement Areas

In partnership with Toronto City Council, local commercial property owners and tenants can work together to form a Business Improvement Area (BIA) to enhance the safety, look and feel of their neighbourhoods to attract more visitors to shop and dine, as well as to draw new businesses to their area. Learn about the benefits of forming a BIA.

Proposed BIAs

To determine if there is sufficient support to establish a proposed Business Improvement Area, the City of Toronto conducts a poll and publishes the results on the City Clerk's Office website.

Recently Closed Polls

News, resources and information

Business and residents in the North York, High Park and Scarborough communities are invited to attend information sessions for tips, tools and information to help local businesses get around during the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games this summer.

Pop-up Shops are temporary stores that can pop-up for a few days to several months, activating empty store-fronts. This website is dedicated to showing you how pop-up shops can bring new life to your street while creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and artists! Check out our free tools, advice and pop-up shop opportunities.

Toronto, with total tax costs lower than comparable Canadian and American cities, took top spot among major international cities in the recently released KPMG Competitive Alternatives, Focus on Tax 2014 report.

Off-duty police officers are available for hire to provide police presence for a range of functions including events taking place in BIAs. As of March 14 a new Paid Duty Office system will be in place. For more information visit www.torontopolice.on.ca/paidduty/.

Organizers of the 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games have created the TO2015 Community Tour. The Community Tours enables residents and businesses alike to learn more about the Games which is expected to draw 10,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 41 countries across the Americas and the Caribbean, and 250,000 visitors to Toronto in 2015.

Running the numbers

Toronto's 81 BIAs are a dynamic and influential part of the city's economic and cultural fabric.

BIA members employ more than 400,000 people in full-time and part-time positions

Over 7.4 million people attend the more than 160 community events and street festivals supported and produced by BIAs throughout the year

For every public dollar the City invests towards BIAs, $10 in private sector funding for marketing, promotion, festivals and neighbourhood beautification projects is generated. In 2013, the City's $3-million investment has resulted in $30 million in BIA spending.

The world's first BIA was started in Toronto in 1970. Since then, this innovative public-private business partnership model has been copied internationally. Toronto continues to have the largest number of BIAs of any urban centre in the world

Resources

Changes to Municipal Code Chapter 19 - BIAs

On December 16, 2013, Toronto City Council approved changes to the Municipal Code Chapter 19, the by-law which governs the establishment and operation of Business Improvement Areas in Toronto. Download the full bylaw. Read the City Council Decision report for more information about the changes to the Municipal Code.

Hydro pole attachments - application process

Looking to attach a flower basket, banner or decorative light to one of Toronto Hydro’s poles?

Certain attachments are permitted on Toronto Hydro poles. To help ensure public safety, it is necessary for you to follow the permitting process. To obtain permission, complete an application and provide all the required documentation. Learn more.